Norman Manley

Norman Manley (4 July 1893-2 September 1969) was Chief Minister and Premier of Jamaica from 2 February 1955 to 29 April 1962, preceding Alexander Bustamante. He was the founder of the People's National Party.

Biography
Norman Manley was born in Roxborough, Manchester Parish, Jamaica on 4 July 1893, and he was educated at Jamaica College. His studies in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar were interrupted by his service in World War I, and he was called to the bar in 1922, becoming one of the foremost lawyers of his generation through his appointment as a King's Counsel in 1932. In 1938, he founded the People's National Party and successfully defended Alexander Bustamante on charges of sedition. After winning the 1955 elections he was Chief Minister of Jamaica from 1955 to 1959 and Premier from 1959 to 1962. Despite his enthusiastic support of the West Indies Federation, his decision not to become its Prime Minister despite his personal standing was a fundamental blow to its prestige. He became leader of the opposition in 1962, and in February 1969 retired in favor of his son, Michael Manley. He died in September of that year.